Nancy Olsen

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A “Christian Victory Celebration” for Nancy entering Heaven will be held at Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119, from 1-4 p.m., on Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Nancy L. Olsen, age 74, of Maple Park, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 11, 2017. For months she was surrounded by the love and prayers of not just her family, but many of her friends, as well. When the day of her victory came, a peace settled upon Nancy that passed all understanding. She is finally free of her battle with brain cancer and now rests in the arms of her Savior. She was born in Sycamore, IL, the daughter of Mark and Audrey (Keefe) Olsen on February 26, 1943. Nancy grew up on a family farm in Maple Park, as one of nine children. She attended local schools and graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1961. Following high school, Nancy began a career in telecommunications as an operator for Illinois Bell. She held a variety of positions in both craft and management before taking early retirement in 1992. Nancy was always a strong and independent lady. It wasn’t until 2014 that she chose to marry her friend of many years, Richard Starck. They met at the telephone company many years ago, but the friendship that began didn’t bloom into love until much later. They walked side by side down the aisle in August 1, 2014. Though many didn’t know it until after the fact, Nancy always did it her way and you couldn’t be mad at her for long. They made their home in Maple Park but spent half the year in Florida, only coming back when the weather turned fair. Nancy was a fierce supporter, volunteer and faithful member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Maple Park. Nancy led her life with grace, faith and kindness. There wasn’t a day in her life when Nancy didn’t help someone. Even as a little girl, finding out her older sister Pat was going on a date, asked if she could shine her shoes. In later years, her days were always filled with cooking for someone, giving rides to doctors, private and discreet financial support to organization’s as well as people. She invited family and strangers alike into her heart and home, taking care of them until they could take care of themselves. Her heart was twice the size of anyone you’d meet and was a force to be reckoned with. She was a “best friend” to many and taught life lessons by example, putting everyone above herself. When she didn’t want gifts for her birthday, she instead gathered donations and sent them around the world, helping others in dozens of ways. Nancy could give aid and comfort like Florence Nightingale and she was always the one to go to for good advice. Nancy was a fighter and gave her all through her battle with cancer. Through all her trips to Marianjoy and over thirty treatments of both chemotherapy and radiation, she never complained once. The cancer may have beaten her body, but it never broke her spirit. Her legacy is long and storied, and one that cannot be denied. Her loss will affect, not just a community, but generations who grew to depend on her for just about anything. Nancy will be missed, but never be forgotten. She is survived by her husband Richard Starck; Four siblings: Patricia (Al) Holman, Caryl (Jerry) Schrader, Bill (Sue) Olsen and Mel (Fred) Needham; host of nieces and nephews and a countryside of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Audrey Olsen; four siblings: Richard Olsen, Mark Olsen, Mike Olsen and Dorothy McAdams. A “Christian Victory Celebration” for Nancy entering Heaven will be held at Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119, from 1-4 p.m., on Saturday, November 18, 2017. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Nancy’s name to benefit her favorite charities including the Grace United Methodist Church and American Cancer Society. Checks may be made to the “Nancy Olsen Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.